Serving or ex armed services?

[Colapop]

Those photos are really clear. Most I've seen are grainy and you can't get a good view of things. They don't have to be "of war" to see what some stuff was like back then.

[James Deuce]

Rep points for whomever identifies the aircraft in Goblin's Grandfather's photos.

Superb stuff Goblin - got any more? They need to go to the National Archives ASAP, they are fantastic quality.

[Eurodave]

1ST pic, probably a Wirraway, [aussie lisence built Harvard] but could be an Aussie built Boomerang
3rd pic, an Avro Anson
closeup of biplane, a Hawker Hart? or a Vickers Vildebeast?

[ghost]

13 years, out for 6 now..

[Goblin]

Rep points for whomever identifies the aircraft in Goblin's Grandfather's photos.

Superb stuff Goblin - got any more? They need to go to the National Archives ASAP, they are fantastic quality.

There's dozens, will take me weeks to scan them all. The plan is to send them to the National Archives.

Gotta go now, will post some more tonight.

[James Deuce]

1ST pic, probably a Wirraway, [aussie lisence built Harvard] but could be an Aussie built Boomerang
3rd pic, an Avro Anson
closeup of biplane, a Hawker Hart?

That's interesting - I think the pics are in a different order for me.

I don't think that's a Wirraway because it has the forward radio mast, so I think it's a Havard.

There's Definitely an Anson in there.

The biplane is a bit bigger than a Hart.

I'm, still trying to figure out the upside down aircraft for sure.

[Eurodave]

Vickers Vildebeast?

[James Deuce]

That's the one.

[vfrboy]

Ex RNZAF, did 5 1/2 yrs as aircraft tech on orions and hueys. been out for a year and lovng it

[Goblin]

Here's a few more.

[James Deuce]

There's dozens, will take me weeks to scan them all. The plan is to send them to the National Archives.

Gotta go now, will post some more tonight.

BLoody brilliant!!!

Thanks Goblin.

[Goblin]

.....and more.

[gunnyrob]

Hiya Folks, Been a Cracker Stacker in the RNZAF for 23 years! Am now off in search of adventure & allowances with the Navy so I can afford a new bike....Hope like heck the photos come out, shows me on the deck of USS Kittyhawk & the boys in action at sea.

[2much]

dose anyone remember the joy of being on the tamaki parade ground with jack donnely?

Wouldn't call it a joy but I do remember 'God's' voice thundering over the parade ground very clearly...... How could you forget?

[Lias]

Both my grandfathers and my foster father served.

One grandfather was infantry (I dont know what unit he was in, but I believe he was a bren gunner and served in Africa and Italy)
Other grandfather was a Lance Bombadier in 2nd NZ Artillery Division, served in africa, won the Military Medal and is mentioned by name in the offical war history (quoted below, Gunnar Davies is my grandpa). Would never talk about it beyond describing it as "the single most stupid thing I've ever done in my life".
Foster father served in malaya and vietnam (Victor 3, 1bn RNZIR). He spent some time in the SAS (but before they became 1st NZSAS, not entirely sure what they were called then). One of the proudest moments of my life was when my foster brother and I escourted him through the streets of Wellington for the Vietnam Remebered celebrations in back in 1998. We were expecting the streets to be lined with hippies and commies, and there were just 1000's of people lining the streets cheering our vets on, and maybe 20-30 hippy scum right at the end outside parliament. Made me proud as hell to be a kiwi that day.

The last episode of this grim action was enacted by the crew of K3. The layer was wounded and the loader, Gunner Davies, at once replaced him, while Gunner Paulger loaded. They fired briskly and as they did so a shellburst set fire to the bedrolls and ammunition on the truck. They were ordered to abandon the gun; but instead Paulger threw the blazing gear and ammunition clear while Davies went on firing. A tank in front burst into flames. Davies suffered a painful grazing wound and was wounded again moments later when the gun received a direct hit. Paulger found to his surprise that the portée was still working and he drove it back over the ridge, only to have it hit twice in the engine by fire from another tank. He then continued on foot and got away. Davies, with other wounded, took shelter in slit trenches until rescued later by a carrier. Both these gunners were awarded the MM.

I've thought about joining the TF, but the fact is I'm a lazy fat bastard, so I just content myself with attending dawn parade and taking my moments silence etc.